Simon Woolley, crossbench peer

Published: Aug. 20, 2023, 11 a.m.

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Simon Woolley, Lord Woolley of Woodford, is principal of Homerton College at Cambridge University. He is the first black man to head an Oxbridge college. He is a co-founder of Operation Black Vote, which campaigns for greater inclusivity in politics, and became a crossbench peer in 2019.

Simon spent his early years in an orphanage in Leicester before being fostered and then adopted by a white couple who also adopted his brother Mick. He left school at 16 to work as a car mechanic and then moved to London where he embarked on a successful career in sales. In 1988 he completed a one year access course which provided the pathway to university and a degree in English and Spanish.

In 1996 Simon was one of the co-founders of Operation Black Vote, a non-partisan organisation which encourages voter registration and community engagement, aiming to give a voice to all sections of society.

He was awarded a knighthood for services to race equality in 2019 and took up his current role as principal of Homerton College in 2021.

DISC ONE: I Want You Back - The Jackson 5 \\nDISC TWO: Green Green Grass of Home - Tom Jones \\nDISC THREE: Manhattan - Ella Fitzgerald\\nDISC FOUR: Titanium (Morten Future Rave Mix) - David Guetta (feat Sia) \\nDISC FIVE: Hagamos Lo Que Diga El Coraz\\xf3n - Grupo Niche\\nDISC SIX: Dreamland \\u2013 Composed and performed by Alexis Ffrench and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by James Morgan\\nDISC SEVEN: Cowboy bebop tank! - Niyari \\nDISC EIGHT: For Once in My Life - Stevie Wonder \\n \\nBOOK CHOICE: Football in Sun and Shadow by Eduardo Galeano\\nLUXURY ITEM: A razor blade \\nCASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: For Once in My Life - Stevie Wonder

Presenter Lauren Laverne\\nProducer Paula McGinley

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